La Fita Ancestral 2023 | Penedés

Wine Identification
The La Fita Ancestral is a sparkling wine produced by the family-run winery La Fita, located in the Penedès region of Catalonia, Spain. This specific release bears the 2023 vintage designation.

Origin and Winemaking
La Fita operates as a small, familial producer within the Penedès appellation. The winemaking process begins with a manual harvest, where grapes are carefully collected in 15 kg crates to ensure minimal damage during transport. The primary grape variety used is Viura (also known as Macabeo), comprising 100% of the blend.

Following harvesting, the must undergoes static clarification in stainless steel tanks to separate solids without aggressive intervention. Fermentation is initiated spontaneously using native yeasts present on the grapes and in the vineyard environment. This primary fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature range of 18-20 °C. The defining characteristic of this wine is its bottling method: it is bottled mid-fermentation, capturing carbon dioxide naturally within the bottle to build pressure. The target pressure is between 4.5 and 5 bars. This technique, identified as Méthode Ancestrale or Pét-Nat, means there is no disgorgement (degüelle) and no additional sugar or additives are introduced before final sealing.

Expected Profile
As a natural sparkling wine made via the ancestral method, the La Fita Ancestral exhibits a lively effervescence derived from trapped CO₂ rather than secondary fermentation with added yeast. The use of static settling and stainless steel suggests a focus on preserving primary fruit aromas and freshness typical of the Viura variety. The moderate pressure (4.5-5 bars) indicates a softer, perhaps slightly creamy mousse compared to traditional Cava standards, with natural acidity balancing the residual sweetness potentially remaining from the halted fermentation.

Overall Character
The La Fita Ancestral represents a minimalist approach to sparkling wine production, emphasizing terroir expression through native yeast fermentation and natural carbonation. It is a vibrant, unfiltered-style sparkler that highlights the fresh characteristics of Penedès Viura without the intervention of disgorgement or dosage.